Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer

Colgate University
Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer

Colgate University seeks a strategic advocate and collaborative partner to fill the newly elevated position of Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer.  Colgate is a distinctive, leading American university known for its intellectual rigor, world-class professors, campus of stunning beauty, and alumni famously loyal to their alma mater.  Founded in 1819, Colgate enrolls 3,002 students, has 337 full-time faculty members, and approximately 650 staff members.  Located in Hamilton, New York, the 600-acre Colgate campus is composed of more than 125 buildings, constructed between 1827 to 2019. The University is known for the beauty of its campus, thanks to careful preservation of its architecture and stewardship of its grounds.

Reporting to President Brian W. Casey, the Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) is a core member of the president’s cabinet and senior leadership team, providing leadership, oversight, and strategic vision for policies and initiatives to promote an inclusive and equitable learning and working environment for students, faculty, and staff. The CDO will oversee the Office of Equity and Diversity, which currently guides hiring practices, Title IX cases, ADA concerns, affirmative action/equal opportunity, and the University’s non-discrimination and anti-harassment processes. There are currently four direct reports.

The CDO will ensure that the strategic planning and vision for inclusion at Colgate is well integrated into overall institutional planning and will bring visibility and organizational focus to campus-wide DEI efforts. The CDO functions as an integrator and connector, collaborating with staff, faculty, and academic leadership to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion within and across the institution.

Colgate’s aspirations for a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community require a CDO who can bring together broad-based coalitions and alliances with the aim of making the University’s intellectual environment, community, and student experiences richer, more robust, and more inclusive; who can identify gaps in access, equity, and support across the institution and work collaboratively with University leaders to address them; and who can work with others to make diversity, equity, and inclusion a shared responsibility.

The CDO will also serve as a visible participant in Colgate’s rigorous academic culture, one that demands inquiry and debate. In such a way, the CDO will also serve as a champion of Colgate’s faculty-endorsed commitment to academic freedom and freedom of speech as detailed in the university’s statement on these matters.

The successful candidate will be a collaborative and team-oriented professional with at least seven years of leadership experience including a strong record of accomplishment in developing, implementing, and championing strategic diversity and inclusion initiatives, preferably in a higher education setting.  A terminal degree is preferred, but not required.  Individuals with an understanding of and ability to navigate within a private liberal arts university and a proven record of success working with all levels of leadership are being sought for this opportunity.  The full Leadership Profile and additional information about Colgate University can be viewed at:  https://www.colgate.edu/about/diversity-anti-racism-initiatives/chief-diversity-officer-leadership-profile.

Diversified Search has been retained by Colgate University to assist in this search process.  Initial screening of applicants will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.  Applications, nominations, and further inquiries should be directed to Euris Belle at ColgateCDO@divsearch.com.  For best consideration, materials should be received by May 31, 2021.

It is the policy of Colgate University not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of their race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, pregnancy, national origin, marital status, disability, protected Veterans status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, being or having been victims of domestic violence or stalking, familial status, or any other categories covered by law. Colgate is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.

Candidates from historically underrepresented groups, women, persons with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.